Fishermen have used homemade fishing rods to catch fish for centuries. While today’s fishing rods are much more advanced, the idea is the same. They’re also easy to build, requiring only a few tools and materials that you can find at your local hardware store.
While there are many different types of fishing rods that are easy to build, this article is about how to build a basic telescopic fishing rod. The mechanics of these rods are ideal for beginners who want to learn more about carpentry and woodworking. Read on to learn how to build a fishing rod in a few easy steps!
What you need
First, you need to determine the wood you want to use. The best wood to build a fishing rod is maple. It is a very strong, durable wood that can take a lot. Other good woods are walnut and oak. These woods are also strong, but they can be a bit pricey. If you want to save money on wood, you can use pine. It’s cheaper but not as strong as the other woods. If you plan to use pine, you will need to use larger-diameter pieces. Smaller-diameter pieces break easily.
You will need some basic carpentry tools. You’ll need a good table saw, mitre saw, and drill press. You’ll also need some screwdrivers and a chainsaw if you’re cutting your wood by hand.
Step 1: Cut your wood
The first step in building a fishing rod is to cut the pieces of wood. The length of the pieces depends on the length of the fishing rod you want to build. Each piece of wood you cut should be about an inch longer than the finished product. This gives you enough space for grinding and reworking.
Once you have your pieces of wood, you can use a table or mitre saw to cut them to the length you want. If you are making a rod for saltwater use a softer wood for the butt. Cedar or pine are good choices for softer woods. For freshwater, the butt can be made from the same wood as the rest of the rod.
Step 2: Drill the pilot holes
Once you have the pieces of wood cut to size, you need to drill the pilot holes. The size of the guide holes will depend on the guides you are using, but they should be small enough for the guides to fit snugly.
You need one hole per guide, so count how many guides you want on the rod. Make sure the holes are straight and make sure the holes are the same size for all pieces. This will prevent the wood from splitting when assembling the pole.
Step 3: Assemble the fishing rod and glue it together with epoxy
Once you have drilled the holes for the guides you can assemble the rod. Place the guides on the top piece of wood. Make sure the guides are pointing in the right direction. They should point towards the inside of the rod. You can glue the guides on with a glue gun or with epoxy.
The epoxy resin ensures a stronger connection and makes the rod more stable. Epoxy resin is an excellent wood glue for fishing rods because it is waterproof and very strong. Epoxy resin is available in different viscosities. So choose an adhesive that is thick enough to stay where you apply it but thin enough to flow into the sprocket holes.
Step 4: Sanding and Painting
Once the epoxy has dried, sand down the rod so it’s smooth. You can use a grinder or sandpaper to do this. The more you grind, the smoother the bar will be. Use a sanding block to sand the rod evenly.
Once you’ve sanded the pole, you can paint it. You can use any colour you like, but some colours are more suitable for fishing rods than others. Most paints intended for indoor furniture work well on fishing rods. Sand the fishing rod well beforehand, because the paint adheres better if the surface is smooth.
Final thoughts on building a fishing rod
Building your own fishing rod is a fun and rewarding project. Fishing rods are very expensive, so making one yourself is a great way to save money while learning a new skill.
Carpentry and woodworking skills are also beneficial, whether you want to build fishing rods or something else. Once you’ve built a fishing rod, you can customize it to your liking by changing the guides and colour. These rods also make a great gift for a friend or family member who enjoys fishing.
